Albion defender Adam Virgo has vowed to fight his way back into first team contention.

The Brighton-born prospect is yet to make an appearance in the First Division after breaking into the team last term and is battling to impress manager Martin Hinshelwood in the reserves.

Robbie Pethick and Adam Hinshelwood have been selected ahead of the young stopper and now the Seagulls have signed Guy Butters to partner skipper Danny Cullip.

"The gaffer knows what I can do and at the end of the day he has got to make the decision of who to play and when to play them," Virgo said.

"I'm not disappointed at all. It's only going to motivate me more to push myself and get myself back into the team.

"He knows what he's doing. I've spoken to him and everything is fine. I've just got to really show him in the reserve games and training that I can push for a place."

Virgo, 19, made four starts during Albion's Second Division title run-in. "Things happened very quickly for me last season, I think a bit too quickly," he admitted.

"Sometimes you need to slow down a bit, look at the positives, remove the negatives and try to become a better player."

Virgo is encouraged by Hinshelwood's willingness to give youth a chance. Daniel Marney, Shaun Wilkinson and nephew Adam have all made their full first team debuts already this season.

"Micky Adams was trying to bring the youngsters in, but he wanted the more experienced players to get us through the lower divisions," Virgo said.

"Peter Taylor gave me a few games. Daniel Marney and Shaun Wilkinson are doing superbly and Adam Hinshelwood has come in as well. That's the way the manager wants to work.

"He thinks youth is part of the future of the club and with the way transfers are going and the lack of money at so many clubs youth is sometimes the only way forward.

"You know you are always going to get 100 per cent from them. Of course, we will probably make a few more mistakes than the senior pros, but they are doing very well to help the younger players settle in."